In response to a comment by Lafmom, I was going to hijack another thread, but decided to start a new one. Though baseball is certainly on our minds, we are indeed in the middle of an exciting basketball season. She and Buckeyecat have been talking about UK basketball. We are season ticketholders to OSU and have attended several very exciting games this winter. We agonized over their double-overtime loss to MSU on Sunday (made especially agonizing because they couldn't make their shots to save their lives!), and were there last night when they vindicated themselves against Wisconsin (for UW's first conference loss of the season). Anyone else here pass the time until baseball starts by watching basketball? High school stories are welcome too!!

Oh gosh, lhp, you're a girl after my own heart!!!! Basketball is a HUGE way I pass my time to get to baseball season.

I'm loyal to my basketball Wildcats, but I have seen some very good ball this year by many teams. OSU is without a doubt one of the better programs around. They did have trouble shooting against Michigan, but Michigan is a top notch program that I expect to see go very far in the tournament. That was one of my favorite games of the year so far. Illinois is looking great. I think everyone underestimated NC last year and I think because of their losses they have been underestimated again this year. As far as the SEC goes, Florida will probably lead the pack. Billy Donovan ALWAYS has his kids ready to play and they ALWAYS play to the best of their ability. I'm anxious to see some more conference play.

One of my favorite things to watch on a basketball court is the same thing that I like to see on a baseball field. That's a coach and players that appear to be having the time of their life and glad that they're there. Heart - passion, competitiveness, intensity. I think maybe my Cats are just beginning to find theirs this year!

A lot of people around here in Columbus wonder why OSU and UK don't play each other during the non conference play. We're just a 3 hour drive apart. Maybe OSU's new coach, Thad Matta, will start pushing for games like that, which would enhance their otherwise group of "cupcakes" they schedule during November and December...

quote:

Originally posted by lhpx2:
High school stories are welcome too!!

I'm not a big fan of basket ball but since my son plays I go and do enjoy watching the games. Regarding your comment about the OSU game; they could've won the game and "made the shot" if they'd gotten the ball in the right hands (IMO).

Beezer-
I don't think ANYONE'S hands were working that afternoon...

And if they hadn't had the lead they did last night, they would have blown that one too. They "bricked" free throw after free throw

I actually had those thoughts about OSU when I was watching the OSU/MSU game. We've played Michigan alot, but I don't think I ever remember playing OSU. I know schedules are based on a lot of things, including friendships between coaching staffs, traditions, etc. I would think OSU/KY would be a game that could attract a nice size audience though?

You don't have to twist my arm to get me to discuss this topic. I am not the fan lafmom is leading up to March but there is no bigger fan of March Madness than me. I think tournament college basketball is one of the greatest sports out there since every game is do or die. College baseball also has this aspect which I enjoy. (Are you listening D1-A football)

RE: Ohio State - IMHO they are a rising national power in college basketball. They are tough this year but very likely have the #1 recruiting class in the nation next fall - a fab five class they are being called. I have followed Ohio State basketball sporadically over the years because frankly, they have had sporadic success. There was the Clark Kellog era, the Jimmy Jackson era, the Scoonie Penn era that led to a final 4 appearance, and now the Thad Motta era which potentially could be the best of all.

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
I am not the fan lafmom is leading up to March but there is no bigger fan of March Madness than me. I think tournament college basketball is one of the greatest sports out there since every game is do or die.

I'm very much like you. Some nights I can watch a college game, others blech. But come March, I'm pretty interested. I've got to tell you, my son and I had a chance to go see the Wake Forrest / UT-Chattanooga Regional game at CSU last year and it was a blast. Just last night he was on-line and saw they're being held at UD and asked if we could drive down.

Beezer,

Last year was the second time CSU hosted a regional and it produced the Classic West Virginia versus Wake Forrest. Great baskeball arena. West Virginia should also be mentioned here as a rising national power in both baseketball and football.

I attended another regional here about 5 years ago and it also produced a triple-overtime classic - Kentucky versus St. Bonaventure. A freshman from St. B's had to sink three free throws to send it into the third overtime and he did. Kentucky ended up winning. Remember that game lafmom?

quote:

Originally posted by lhpx2:
Beezer-
I don't think ANYONE'S hands were working that afternoon...

I thought Sylvester was pretty hot but thinking they tried to dump it to somebody else there at the end (Dials ?) for the last shot?

I'm not a huge college basketbal fan. I do watch most of the games during the NCAA tourney. I spend most of the time watching football on the weekends. I do try to catch the Louisville games that I can. And I do watch UK if I turn the channel and see that they are playing.

Tas - You'd be a BIGGER basketball fan if you just followed the correct KY team!!!! I think maybe you need to spend more time in Winchester with that brother in law!

CD - I can't believe that I don't remember that game!!! I can rattle off many a memorable one, but don't know what happened to me with that one!!

Well, Laf, the only time I saw UK play in person was at the tournament 2 years ago here in Columbus (I think they will be hosting again in a couple of years, and I can't wait. What an experience!). I'm afraid you probably DO remember that game. It, too, was an incredibly exciting game, but alas, the Wildcats ended up on the short end of that stick.Sorry

Ouch!!!! That was the Marquette loss, right!?!?! I like CD's memory better!!!

Actually, I bet it wasn't. Was the UAB/KY game at Columbus?

Yep, that was the one. Pretty exciting game, though! Even the understandably dejected KY fans were still pretty energized about the game itself. I was quite impressed with the KY fans I met there.

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
Beezer,

Last year was the second time CSU hosted a regional and it produced the Classic West Virginia versus Wake Forrest.

We thought about heading back up for that game. Well, let me clarify...the "thinking" part was on behalf of my son.

We did watch a little of the WVU / Creighton (???) game on the way out. The kid from Cleveland (Gansey?) is pretty good.

quote:

The kid from Cleveland (Gansey?) is pretty good.

Indeed Beezer. I see him on ESPN highlights regularly. Like I said above, West Virginia is a force to be reckoned with in more than one sport.

PS - to my above post. I think it is nice when we can actually bring West Virginia into a topic. So far, I am aware of one registered person from WV and that is our moderator orioles42. If you are lurking out there, and are from West Virginia, please register and let us know who you are

Speaking of WV, you just have to love a kid who's named "Pitsnogle."